RENE’ F. CASTILLO, 92, of Groves, departed this life to his Heavenly Reward December 12, 2015 after a brief illness.
He was born on September 18, 1923 in Temuco, Chile and was proud to have been born on the Independence Day of his beloved native land. He was equally proud of his adopted country, the United States of America and his state of Texas, whose Lone Star flag is so much like Chile’s.
Rene’ attended the University of Chile in Santiago attaining a degree in English before immigrating to the United States by freighter at Newport News, VA. He attended Furman University where he graduated with a degree in International History and Psychology in 1950. After this he studied toward a Masters degree at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
He married the love of his life, Joan Ambler on December 22, 1951. They had five children. They began their life together in Groves, TX in 1954 where they have lived ever since.
In January 1955 he began his career as a laboratory analyst that would span thirty years and three employers all at the same location on Chemical Row in Orange, TX, Spencer’s Chemical, Gulf Chemical, and Chevron Chemical.
Rene’ became a naturalized US citizen May 13, 1958.
His spare time he spent in a life of service to others. He was a longtime member of the Groves Lion’s Club and also volunteered working with the International Seamen’s Center at the Ports of Port Arthur and Beaumont for over forty years. He was also a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Groves.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves with Dr. Joe Worley and Reverend Charles Miller of First Baptist Church in Groves officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Bluff Memorial Park.
A visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Rene’ was preceded in death by his parents, Herberto and Nieve Castillo, his two brothers, Luis and Isaias Castillo and his sister, Sonia Castillo.
He is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Joan Castillo, brothers, Jaime and Pedro Castillo, sisters Raquel Rivas and Rebeca Rodriguez, his children, Joseph Ricardo Castillo, Rosemary Castillo Mathis and husband, Russell Clay Mathis, David Rene’ Castillo, Ronnie Allen Castillo and wife, Kay Castillo, and Herbert Ambler Castillo, grandchildren, Marjorie Grace Mathis, Emily Anne Mathis Ibrahim and husband Dr Ayman Samir Ibrahim, PH.D, Allen Clay Mathis and wife, Amy Jenkins Mathis, Brittany Lea Castillo, Christina Renee Castillo and Dylan James Castillo and one great grandson, Cohen Clay Mathis.
Friends wishing to make memorial contributions may send them to: First Baptist Church Groves Remodeling Fund, 4000 Grant Avenue, Groves, TX  776l9.